Mechanized Hair Styling Device and Method

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a hair styling apparatus and its employment in specific hairstyling methods. The apparatus is a mechanized, motorized device configured to operate in conjunction with a hairstyling attachment, said device comprising an ordered arrangement of components which, when motorized in a connected manner, cause the meshed rotation of two internal pivot gears, the pivot gears having irregularly-spaced undersurface dock holes connectable to a planar grip housing. The pivot gears induce selectable rotation modes of the planar grip housing; further, the grip housing is capable of securely gripping the attachment. A preferred attachment comprises an elastomeric block having an elliptically-contoured, substantially smooth top surface, and a patterned, sculptured bottom surface constructed with parallel V-shaped channels and a plurality of circular chambers. In this manner, when hair is placed in contact with the motorized device and its attachment, the hair may be styled into a multiplicity of twists or spirals.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit and priority of provisional patientapplication No. 62/334,795 filed on May 11, 2016, which provisionalapplication is incorporated herein by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION (1) Field of the Invention

The inventive concept is involved with devices and professionalaccessories used by hair stylists and barbers. In particular, theinventive concept disclosed sets forth a unique means to perform acertain method of styling actual hair, hairpieces, and wigs, into twistsand/or spirals,

(2) Description of the Related Art, Including Information DisclosedUnder 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98

U.S. provisional patent application No. 62/334,795 filed on May 11, 2016by the current inventor, describes an elastomeric sponge block having arelative smooth, semi-rigid top surface and an elastomeric bottomsurface constructed of regularly-spaced circular chambers and groupingsof V-shaped channels.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,198,050 (Apr. 3, 2007) discloses a method for hairstyling incorporating the use of a handheld device. The device isintended for sculpting hair and includes a pliable member having asubstantially smooth bottom surface. A plurality of spaced-apart boresis disposed in the bottom surface. When the handheld device is placedagainst a person's head, the pliable member at least partially deformsto conform to the shape of the person's head. By repeatedly pulling thebottom surface of the pliable member across the hair tangentially to thesurface of the person's scalp, the plurality of spaced-apart boresdisposed in the bottom surface cause clumps of hair to be formed atsubstantially regular intervals that are a function of the distancebetween ones of the spaced-apart bores.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,325,565 issued on Dec. 4,2001 to Girardot et al. Theinvention discloses an applicator for applying and distributing asubstance onto a target surface. The applicator comprises asubstantially planar sheet of compressible, conformable material havingopposed first and second surfaces and an interior region. The interiorregion decreases in volume when subjected to an externally-appliedforce. The applicator further includes at least one discrete reservoirextending inwardly of the first surface into the interior, is partiallyfilled with a substance and at least one discrete aperture in the firstsurface in fluid communication with the reservoir. Compression of thefirst surface expresses product from the aperture and translationsmotion of the first surface relative to a target surface applies anddistributes the product onto the target. In a preferred embodiment, aplurality of apertures is associated with corresponding reservoirs. Ahand-held applicator, which is preferably resilient both in compressionand in bending to conform to irregular target surfaces may be used withthe invention.

U.S. Pat. No. 1,943,365 issued on Jan. 16, 1934 to Borden, discloses animprovement to hand-held sponge rubber devices, which features aplurality of spaced open ducts. The preferred embodiment comprises asponge-rubber lathering and washing appliance, further comprising twosponge-rubber boards, superposed one on the other and secured together,at least one being a split of a sponge rubber slab and at least onehaving skin on its abutting face, said device having distributed oversubstantially its entire area a plurality of spaced normally open ductsextending entirely through it transversely of its abutting face skinwhereby the sponge cells adjacent thereto are freely vented.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The inventive concept disclosed sets forth a mechanized, motorizeddevice to accomplish hairstyling of twists or spirals of hair. Thedevice also improves all known means of performing this particularmethod of styling hair, hair pieces, or wigs, into twists and/orspirals. The device and method are particularly suited to the hair typeof most persons of African lineage. In order to relieve the normalmanual process and method of styling twists of hair by hand, or by usinga flexible styling sponge/block, the inventive concept herein disclosesan electrically powered rotating device to which an elastomeric spongeblock 70 attachment may be attached. The device is referred to as an“Auto Curl Sponge” (ACS) 1. The ACS 1 can effectuate the styling of thetwists or spirals in hair by means of an automated fashion, and in aconsiderably shorter time period.

The ACS 1 is a mechanized, motorized device configured to operate inconjunction with a hairstyling attachment, said device comprising acoordinated connection of components which, when motorized, cause themeshed rotation of two internal pivot gears 31, 32, the pivot gearshaving irregularly-spaced undersurface dock holes connectable to aplanar grip housing 50. The pivot gears 31, 32 induce selectablerotation modes of fee planar grip housing 50. Further, the grip housing50 is capable of securely retaining a hairstyling attachment.

In the preferred embodiment, the hairstyling attachment comprises anelastomeric block 70 having an elliptically-contoured, substantiallysmooth top surface, and a patterned, sculptured and textured bottomsurface constructed with parallel V-shaped channels 72, 73 and aplurality of circular chambers 75. In this manner, when the ACS 1 ispowered and the bottom surface of the connected hair attachment isplaced in contact with the hair, the hair may be styled into amultiplicity of twists or spirals.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 presents an exploded view of the Auto Curl Sponge (ACS) 1 device,beginning with a top plate 46 and underneath are shown the maincomponents of the ACS 1 in their sequential stacking arrangement,relative vertically to each other.

FIG. 2 is a perspective drawing of the basic structure of a full gearhousing 10, including gear retainer housings 15, 16.

FIG. 3 presents a top view of the full gear housing 10 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 shows a bottom view of the full gear housing 10, furtherdepicting partial exposure of gear teeth.

FIG. 4A illustrates a perspective view of the left pivot gear 31, whichis of the same exact construction as the right pivot gear 32.

FIG. 4B is a view of the top surface of a left pivot gear 31.

FIG. 4C shows a side or profile view of the left pivot gear 31.

FIG. 4D depicts the undersurface of the left pivot gear 31.

FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of the button holder 66 component,including its integral left and right latches 67(a), (b).

FIG. 6 is a view of the bottom surface of the button holder 66.

FIG. 7 presents a frontal view of the button holder 66.

FIG. 8 is a perspective drawing of the button holder 66.

FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of the sponge grip housing 50 component,showing pending installation of the button spring 65.

FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B are perspective views of the button holder 66 andthe lock synch button 60 pending their installation onto the sponge griphousing 50.

FIG. 10 is a view of the joining of the button holder 66 onto the locksynch button 60 prior to mutual installation of both parts onto thesponge grip housing 50.

FIG. 11 is a view of the sponge grip housing 50 upon completion of theinstallation of the button holder 66, the lock synch button 60, and thebutton spring 65. Also depicted is the closing of the button tab 64 andthe resultant formation of left and right locking pins 5, 6. Thissub-assembly thus forms “Assembly B” 2 of the inventive concept.

FIG. 12 presents a top view of the base plate 20, showing two cavities24, 25 for the accommodation of two pivot gears 31, 32.

FIG. 13 is a bottom view of the base plate 20.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the base plate 20 and further depicts adrive gear niche 26 for insertion of a drive gear 19.

FIG. 15 shows the full gear housing 10 having the left and right pivotgears 31, 32 essentially within respective left and right gear retainers15, 16 and the positioning of the drive gear 19.

FIG. 16 illustrates the full gear housing 10 positioned above the baseplate 20, also showing the installation of the two pivot gears 31, 32 inthe base plate 20. An electrical motor 80 and its motor shaft 81 areshown, pending their installation within the middle wall 12 of the fullgear housing 10.

FIG. 17 presents a view of the attachment of the bottom surfaces of thefull gear housing 10 onto the base plate 20, further showing the controlswitch 82 of the device.

FIG. 18 depicts the full gear housing 10 attached atop the base plate 20and installation of a battery 84.

FIG. 19 is an exploded view of the top plate 46, and the oscillationgrip housing 40 and the relative positioning of these two components,shown immediately above the full gear housing 10.

FIG. 20 displays the installation of the oscillation grip housing 40enveloping the walls 10, 11, 13 of the full gear housing 10. Attachmentof the top plate 46 completes a sub-assembly forming what is termed“Assembly A” 2.

FIG. 21 presents a front view of Assembly A 2, including the top plate46, the oscillation grip housing 40, and the base plate 20.

FIG. 22 is a right side view of Assembly A 2, showing the top plate 26,oscillation grip housing 40, a switch opening 48, and the edge of thebase plate 20.

FIG. 23 presents a bottom view of Assembly A 2, also showing theundersurfaces of left pivot gear 31 and right pivot gear 32, andrespective left, middle, and right dock holes 34, 35, 36; 37, 38, 39.

FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view of Assembly A 2, as seen from sectionlines A-A, of FIG. 23.

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of the composite Assembly A 2, just priorto final stage of attachment of the “Assembly B” 3.

FIG. 26 depicts perspective views of the bottom of Assembly A 2 (whichshows the bottom of the base plate 20 and a bottom view of the spongegrip housing 50) and also a bottom, view of Assembly B 3, just prior toconnection of both Assemblies A, B to each other. For illustrativepurposes only, the left gear cavity 25 is shown devoid of the left pivotgear 31 (not shown).

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of the bottom surface of the elastomericsponge block 70, relative to its imminent tensioned positioning withinthe inner circumference of the rim 56 of the sponge grip housing 50.

NOMENCLATURE

1. Auto Curl Sponge (ACS)

2. Assembly A

3. Assembly B

4. Main Assembly

5. Left main locking pin

6. Right main locking pin

7. n/a

8. Mounting tab

9. n/a

10. Full gear housing

11. Front wall

12. Middle wall

13. Rear wall

14. Motor gate

15. Left gear returner

16. Right gear retainer

17. Left axis slot

18. Right axle slot

19. Drive gear

20. Base Plate

21. Gear support lip

22. Gear border

23. n/a

24. Left gear cavity

25. Right gear cavity

26. Gear niche

27. Latching slot

28.-29. n/a

30. Gear rim

31. Left pivot gear

31(a). Gear teeth

32. Right pivot gear

32(b). Gear teeth

33(a). Left gear axle

33(b). Right gear axle

34. Left dock hole

35. Middle dock hole

36. Right dock hole

37. Left dock hole

38. Middle dock hole

39. Right dock hole

40. Oscillation Grip Housing

41.-45. n/a

46. Top plate

47. n/a

48. Switch opening

49. n/a

50. Sponge Grip Housing (SGH)

51. n/a

52. First grip post

53. Second grip post

54. Left bay

55. Right bay

56. SGH lower rim

57. Spring cavity

58. Latch receptacle

59. SGH undersurface

60. Lock Synch Button

61. Button holder cavity

62. First button post

63. Second button post

64. Button tab

65. Button spring

66. Button holder

67(a). Left holder latch

67(b). Right holder latch

68. Holder aperture

69. (a). Left wing; (b) Right wing

70. Elastomeric block (Curl Sponge)

71. Side panel

72. Main-channel

73. Cross-channel

74. n/a

75. Chamber

76.-79. n/a

80. Motor body

81. Motor shaft

82. Switch

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTIVE CONCEPT

The objects, features, and advantages of the inventive concept presentedin this application are more readily understood when referring to theaccompanying drawings. The drawings, totaling twenty-seven (27) figures,show the basic components and functions of the preferred embodiment. Inthe several figures, like reference numbers are used in each figure tocorrespond to the same component as may be depicted in other figures.

Beginning with FIG. 1, there is shown an exploded view of the componentsof the styling device ACS 1, less the hairstyling attachment. Thearrangement of the components shown in FIG. 1 is intended to convey therelative vertical orientation of the primary components of the ACS 1 andto illustrate the general process of assembling the ACS 1. It is pointedout that an oscillation grip housing 40, shown in FIG. 23 through FIG.26, is designed and constructed to envelop the top two-thirds of theitems illustrated in FIG. 1. “Assembly A” 2 is thus formed, whichcomprises the top two-thirds of the items, while the lower third of theshown items comprise “Assembly B” 3. The sponge grip housing 50 isconstructed so as to be suitable for grasping and retaining ahairstyling attachment on the underside of the sponge grip housing 50,and within the perimeter of the rim 56 of the sponge grip housing 50.

FIG. 1 shows a topmost component, being a “top plate” 46, which isgenerally a planar, elliptically contoured structure. Directly below thetop plate 46 there is shown a full gear housing 10, which component isstructured with three parallel, bottom-joined walls, comprising a frontwall 11, a middle wall 12, and a rear wall 13. The middle wail 12manifests an opening, referred to as a motor gate 14 between its leftsegment and right segment. The full gear housing 10 is more clearlydepicted in FIG. 2, FIG. 3, and FIG. 4.

FIG. 1 further shows, at the bottom of the full gear housing 10, a leftgear retainer 15 for encasement of the left pivot gear 31 and a rightgear retainer 16 for encasement of the right pivot gear 32. The twopivot gears 31, 32 are illustrated along with a drive gear 19 which,when electrically powered, meshes with and drives both pivot gears 31,32, when the device ACS 1 is placed in operation. Anelliptically-contoured, planar base plate 20 provides a left cavity 24and a right cavity 25 for containment of the two pivot gears 31, 32,along with a niche 26 for containment of the drive gear 19.

Additionally shown in the vertical sequence of FIG. 1, is a planarbutton holder 66 which, in the final assembly, operates in conjunctionwith a lock synch button 60, shown directly underneath the button holder66. The bottommost component shown in FIG. 1 is the sponge grip housing50, which accepts placement of the base plate 20, and the assembled locksynch button 60. To enable functionality of the ACS 1 product, anattachment comprising an elastomeric sponge block 70 having smallcircular chambers 75 is affixed to the undersurface of the sponge griphousing 50.

With an electric motor 80 installed in the ACS 1, power is wired to thedrive gear 19, which meshes with the pivot gears 31, 32, in turn causingthe base plate 20 to rotate the sponge grip housing 50. In turn, thisrotates the plane of the bottom surface of a hairstyling attachment in acircular pattern. Consequently, the rotational movement of theattachment's bottom surface, when placed in contact with hair strands,causes the strands to be enveloped within the circular chambers 75.

FIG. 2 presents a three-dimensional view of the full gear housing 10,further depicting a left gear retainer 15 for encasement of the leftpivot gear 31 and a right gear retainer 16 for encasement of the rightpivot gear 32. Also shown in FIG. 2 is the motor gate 14, which is a gapin the middle wall 12 allowing space to fit the device's motor body 80and motor shaft 81 (not shown) within the full gear housing 10.

FIG. 3 displays a top plan view of the full gear housing 10, furthershowing the left axle slot 17, right axle slot 18, rear wall 13, middlewall 12, front wall 11, left gear retainer 15, and right gear retainer16. The motor “gate” 14 is shown, along with cylindrical openingscomprising the left axle slot 17 and the right axle slot 18. Mountingtabs 8 on the four bottom corners of the full gear housing 10 are usedfor insertion into four corresponding latching slots 27 in the baseplate 20 (more clearly illustrated in FIG. 16).

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the full gear housing 10, again displayingthe left axle slot 17, the right axle slot 18, portions of the middlewall 12, left gear retainer 15, and right gear retainer 16. The leftgear retainer 15 and right gear retainer 16, of the full gear housing 10are constructed to provide an upper housing for the left pivot gear 31and the right pivot gear 32, respectively. The axle 33(a) of the leftpivot gear 31 fits into the bottom of the left axle slot 17, and theaxle 33(b) of the right pivot gear 32 fits into the bottom of the rightaxle slot 18. For purposes of illustration only, partial views of thegear teeth are shown, as if the gears 31, 32 were installed.

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of the left pivot gear 31, including theleft axle 33(a) and the gear teeth 31(a). FIG. 4B is a view of the topsurface of the left pivot gear 31. FIG. 4C illustrates a side, orprofile, view of the left pivot gear 31, including the gear rim 30. FIG.4D depicts the underside of the left pivot gear 31, further depicting aleft dock hole 34, a middle dock hole 35, and a right dock hole 36. Thethree dock holes 34, 35, 36 are encompassed within the innercircumference of the gear rim 30. It is to be pointed out that the rightpivot gear 32 is constructed identically to the left pivot gear 31.

FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of the button holder 66, including itsleft holder latch 67(a), right holder latch 67(b), and a holder aperture68. The aperture 68 is used for insertion of a machine screw to attachthe button holder 66 to the sponge grip housing 50. FIG. 7 shows a frontview of the button holder 66, while FIG. 6 presents a bottom view of thebutton holder 66. A perspective view of the button holder 66 is shown inFIG. 8. The left holder latch 67(a) and right holder latch 67(b) aredesigned to fit into respective left and right latch receptacles 58constructed on the sponge grip housing 50, both latch receptacles 58 asshown in FIG. 26.

FIG. 9, FIG. 9A, and FIG. 9B are perspective representations of therelative positioning of certain components of the ACS 1, thesecomponents being the button holder 66, the lock synch button 60, thesponge grip housing 50, and a button spring 65. During assembly, thelock synch button 66 fits into a correspondingly-shaped button bay 51 ofthe lock synch button 60. The lock synch button 60 also contains a firstbutton post 62 and a second button post 63 both of which are constructedwith dimensions corresponding to a first grip post 52 and a second grippost 53, respectively, on the surface of the sponge grip housing 50. Thelock synch button 60 also features a button tab 64, a left wing 69(a),and a right wing 69(b).

As shown in FIG. 9, the sponge grip housing 50 manifests a left housingbay 54 and a right housing bay 55. The left and right housing bays 54,55 accommodate the left and right wings 69(a), 69(b) respectively, ofthe lock synch button 60. The interior surface of the sponge griphousing lower rim 56 is designed to encompass the upper perimetralcontour of a hairstyling attachment. In the preferred embodiment, thehairstyling attachment is of a contour and ship as shown in the spongeblock 70 of FIG. 27, in the preparation for use final stage of the ACS1.

Turning to FIG. 10, there is illustrated the assembly stage wherein thebutton holder 66 and the lock synch button 60, are positioned relativeto each other, pending their joining. The lock synch button 60 isconstructed with a first button post 62 and a second button post 63,which are designed to mate with a first grip post 52 and a second grippost 53 atop the sponge grip housing 50. A button spring 65 is intendedto be placed into a spring cavity 57 integral to the top surface of thesponge grip housing 50. Machine screws may be used as necessary tosecure corresponding components of the AGS 1 to each other.

FIG. 11 depicts the button holder 66 and the lock synch button 60,having been coupled to one another, and merged onto the top surface ofthe sponge grip housing 50. The button spring 65 is shown, by dashedlines, having been placed into the spring cavity 57. The button spring65 maintains a certain amount of tension to hold the lock synch button60 in place, flush with the sponge grip housing 50. This sub-assemblystage forms “Assembly B” 3, as stated earlier. In other embodiments, acoil spring may be attached to, or placed in proximity of the lock synchbutton 60 and button holder 66 in order to hold the lock synch button 60in place.

In actual operation of the ACS 1 by a user, the button tab 64, uponbeing depressed, or pushed inward, places an increased amount of tensiononto the button spring 65 such that the button tab 64 and lock synchbutton 60 can be lifted and force the separation of Assembly B 3 fromAssembly A 2. This, in effect, separates the sponge grip ho using 50from the bottom surface of the top plate 20, as shown more clearly inFIG. 26.

In FIG. 11 there is also displayed, on the sponge grip housing 50, theformation of a left main locking pin 5 and a right main locking pin 6.The left main locking pin 6 is formed by the virtual collocation of thesecond grip post 53 of the sponge grip housing 50 and the second buttonpost 63 of the lock synch button 60. The right main locking pin 5 isformed by the virtual collocation of the second grip post 52 of thesponge grip housing 50 and the second button post 62 of the lock synchbutton 60. At this sub-assembly point, “Assembly B” 3 of the ACS 1 iscompleted.

The left main locking pin 5 and the right main locking pin 6 are spacedapart a certain distance, which corresponds to the spacing betweenspecific pairs of dock holes 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39 on the undersurfaceof each of the left and right pivot gears 31, 32 when both pivot gears31, 32 are housed in the base plate 20. This is more readily understoodby reference to FIG. 23.

Assembly A 2 and Assembly B 3 are joined together to form the completeACS 1. When styling hair, using the ACS 1, there are usually differentdegrees of tautness of twists of hair or volume of hair spirals/curlsthat a customer desires. Therefore, the user of the ACS 1, has theoption to select specific pairs of corresponding dock holes (dock hole34 paired with dock hole 37; dock hole 35 paired with dock hole 38; ordock hole 36 paired with dock hole 39) for the style desired. The usermust then press the button tab 64 to separate Assembly B 3 from AssemblyA 2, which exposes the left and right main locking pins 5, 6.

At this point, the user inserts the main locking pins 5, 6 into theappropriately selected paired dock holes (reference FIG. 23). Selectionof the mid-located dock holes 35, 38, and insertion of these two dockholes 35, 38 onto main locking pins 5, 6, and the re-joining of AssemblyB 3 and Assembly A 2 results in the contour of the base plate 20 beingslightly offset from the contour of the sponge grip housing 50.

Activation of the ACS 1 causes the left and right pivot gears 31, 32 inthe base plate 20 to rotate co-planarly and spin the sponge grip housing50 (by virtue of synchronized rotation of locking pins 5, 6) within acertain radius of coverage. A hairstyling attachment with severalchambers 75 grasped within the rim 56 of the sponge grip housing 50,thereby produces a certain size of twist, curl or hair spiral.

A user's selection of the leftmost dock holes 34, 37, insertion of thesetwo dock holes 34, 37 onto main locking pins 5, 6, and the re-joining ofAssembly B 3 and Assembly A 2 results in one end of the base plate 20overlapping the sponge grip housing 50 by an increased amount.Activation of the ACS 1 will then cause the sponge grip housing 50 torotate in a slightly wider radius of coverage. The hairstylingattachment will then produce a different size and quality of hairtwists.

Selection of the rightmost dock holes 36, 39, insertion of these twodock holes 36, 39 onto main locking pins 5, 6, and the re-joining ofAssembly B 3 and Assembly A 2 results in the base plate 20 overlappingthe sponge grip housing 50 by a greater amount. Activation of the ACS 1will then cause the sponge grip housing 50 to rotate in the widestradius of coverage that it is designed for. The hairstyling attachmentwill therefore produce a larger size and different quality of styling ofhair twists, spirals, and/or curls.

FIG. 12 shows a top view of the base plate 20, also showing a left gearcavity 24, and a right gear cavity 25 for the housing of the left pivotgear 31, and the right pivot gear 31, respectively. Left and right gearsupport lips 21 are constructed at the outer perimeter of each the leftand right gear cavities 24, 25. Each gear support lip 21 provides aplatform to support the undersurface of each of the respective pivotgears 31, 32. A drive gear niche 26, midway between both gear cavities24, 25 provides a support base for the drive gear 19. Latching slots 27accommodate insertion of the mounting tabs 8 of the full gear housing10. FIG. 13 shows the bottom surface of the base plate 20, including thefour latching slots 27. FIG. 14 presents a perspective view of the baseplate 20.

FIG. 15 presents a perspective view of the full gear housing 10, furthershowing the drive gear 19 in place, and the stylized ultimate locationof the device's motor 80. The gear teeth of the left pivot gear 31 andthe right pivot gear 32 are shown exposed, slightly outside therespective left and right gear retainers 15, 16.

FIGS. 16 through 18 depict varying stages of assembly of the ACS 1. FIG.16 specifically demonstrates the pending attachment of the full gearhousing 10 onto the base plate 20, also showing containment of both theleft and right pivot gears 31, 32. The pending installation of theelectric motor 80 and its drive shaft 81 into the motor gate 14 of themiddle wall 12 is also shown. FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the fullgear housing 10, including the on-off switch 82, attached to the baseplate 20. Various types of on-off switches may be utilized, includingrocker-type, latching switch, push-button switch, and avariable-resistance switch.

In viewing FIG. 18, there is illustrated a perspective view of the rearwall 13 of the combined full gear housing 10—base plate 20 sub-assembly.Also shown is the addition of a 9-volt battery 84 for use in poweringthe motor 80. Various types of batteries may be utilized to providepower directly to the device's drive gear 19. Further, in otherembodiments, electrical connector mechanisms may be used to providealternating current (ac) power to the drive gear 19, and to also enablethe use of an ac-dc adaptor for operation of the ACS 1.

FIG. 19 illustrates the pending attachment of the oscillation griphousing 40 about the outer boundaries of the full gear housing 10. Theoscillation grip housing 40 manifests an interior elliptical profilewhich coincides with the perimeter of the base plate 20. The top plate46 is also shown.

Next, FIG. 20 shows the imminent placement of the top plate 46 into itsdesigned position relative to the full gear housing 10. The oscillationgrip housing 40 will be secured into its place atop the base plate 20,with the interior of the oscillation grip housing 40 enveloping thewalls 11, 12, 13 of the full gear housing 10. This assemblage shown inFIG. 20 constitutes “Assembly A” 2 of the ACS 1.

FIG. 21 presents a front view of “Assembly A” 2, including the top plate46, the oscillation grip housing 40, and the outer edge of the baseplate 20, thus forming an assemblage to be joined with “Assembly B” 3.In FIG. 22 there is shown a right side view of Assembly A 2, showing thetop plate 26, oscillation grip housing 40, a switch opening 48, and theedge of the base plate 20.

FIG. 23 presents a bottom view of Assembly A 2, and specifically theundersurface of the base plate 20. This view also shows theundersurfaces of the left pivot gear 31 and right pivot gear 32. It canbe observed that each of the pivot gears 31, 32 contains respectiveleft, middle, and right dock holes: dock holes 34, 35, and 36 for theleft pivot gear 31 and dock holes 37, 38, 39 for the right pivot gear32.

As explained earlier, in using the ACS 1, specific pairs of the six dockholes (34-39) are selected for simultaneous insertion onto the left mainlocking pin 5 and the right main locking pin 6 atop the sponge griphousing 50 (refer to FIG. 11). Specifically, dock hole 34 of the leftpivot gear 31 and dock hole 37 of the right pivot gear 32 are alwaysinherently paired for attachment to the left and right locking pins 5,6. Likewise, dock hole 35 of the left pivot gear 31 and dock hole 38 ofthe right pivot gear 32; and dock hole 36 of the left pivot gear 31 anddock hole 39 of the right pivot gear 32 are always inherently paired forinsertion onto the left and right main locking pins 5, 6. This is due tothe fact that the linear dimension between the left main locking pin 5and the right main locking pin 6 corresponds precisely to the lineardimension between each of the above recited pairings of dock holes34-39.

FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view of Assembly A 2, as seen from sectionlines A-A of FIG. 23. FIG. 25 shows the relative contours of the topplate 46, oscillation grip housing 40, and the base plate 20, which formAssembly A 2.

A user of the ACS 1 must first determine the characteristics (length,texture, and density) of the customer's hair and the desired relativetightness of the hair twist or spiral. Once this is done, theappropriate selection of paired dock holes (34 & 37, 35 & 38, or 36 &39) is selected to be snapped into place atop the respective left andright main locking pins 5, 6 of the sponge grip housing 50. Next, theuser must compressively mount the perimetral, semi-rigid side band 71 ofthe elastomeric sponge block 70 within the interior surface of thesponge grip housing lower rim 56. Reference to the combination of FIG.26 and FIG. 27 demonstrates the procedure which must be followed.

When the ACS is electrically activated by the switch 82, the sponge griphousing 50 is rotated, within its own plane, by the drive motor 19engaging both the left pivot gear 31 and the right pivot gear 32 insimultaneous rotary motion. In the preferred embodiment, an elastomericsponge block 70, as shown in FIG. 27, is used. The sponge grip housing50, when placed into rotation, causes a the plurality of circularchambers 75, main channels 72, and cross-channels 73 on the bottomsurface of the elastomeric sponge block 70 to similarly rotate andthereby engage strands of hair with which the elastomeric sponge block70 comes in contact.

FIG. 26 depicts a perspective view of the composite Assembly A 2, justprior to attachment of the Assembly B 3 with the elastomeric spongeblock 70. FIG. 26 also shows a perspective view of the bottom of thesponge grip housing 50 and Assembly A 2 just prior to a user connectingthe locking pins 5, 6 (not shown) to one of the selected dock holes 34,35, 36 of the right pivot gear 32. For illustrative purposes only, theleft gear cavity 24 is shown devoid of the left pivot gear 31 (notshown).

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of one embodiment of an elastomeric spongeblock 70, in its pre-assembly positioning beneath the undersurface 59and interior of the rim 56 of the sponge grip housing 50. The side band71, main channels 72, cross-channels 73, and circular chambers 75 areillustrated. By using the ACS 1 in conjunction with the depictedelastomeric sponge block 70, hair strands become twisted or intertwinedin a plurality of upright spirals corresponding to the spacing between,and the diameter of, the circular chambers 75 and the size of the areaof rotation of the sponge grip housing 50.

While preferred embodiments of the present inventive concept have beenshown and disclosed herein, it will be obvious to those persons skilledin the art that such embodiments are presented by way of example only,and not as a limitation to the scope of the inventive concept. Numerousvariations, changes, and substitutions may occur or be suggested tothose skilled in the art without departing from the intent, scope, andtotality of this inventive concept. Such variations, changes, andsubstitutions may involve other features which are already known per seand which may be used instead of, or in combination with featuresalready disclosed herein. Accordingly, it is intended that thisinventive concept be inclusive of such variations, changes, andsubstitutions, and by no means limited by the scope of the claimspresented herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A mechanized, motorized device configured tooperate in conjunction with a hairstyling attachment, said devicecomprising a coordinated arrangement of components which, when motorizedin a connected manner, cause the meshed rotation of two pivot gears, thepivot gears having irregularly-spaced underside dock holes connectableto a planar grip housing such that the gears induce selectable rotationmodes of the planar grip housing, further, the grip housing beingcapable of securely grasping and retaining the hairstyling attachment.2. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is operated in conjunctionwith a hairstyling attachment comprising an elastomeric, sponge-likeblock having a flat, attachable top surface and a bottom surface, saidbottom surface further comprising (a) a plurality of circular chambersand (b) a plurality of V-shaped channels, said channels arranged in acriss-cross pattern.
 3. The device of claim 1, further comprising wiringand electrical junctions enabling the use of alternating currentelectrical power to rotate both pivot gears.
 4. The device of claim 1,further comprising wiring and electrical junctions enabling the use ofbattery direct current to electrically rotate both pivot gears.
 5. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein the device is operated in conjunction with ahairstyling attachment comprising an elastomeric block having anelliptically-contoured, substantially smooth top surface, ajaggedly-patterned, sculptured and textured bottom surface, and acontinuous side panel, said side panel being integrally connected to theedges of both the top surface and the bottom surface; further thebottom, surface contains nine (9) V-shaped main-channels, saidmain-channels being parallel to each other and oriented on the bottomsurface at an approximate 45 degree right angle to the longitudinal axisof the elastomeric block when viewing the block bottom surface from adirect plan view; further said bottom surface further manifests nine (9)Y-shaped cross-channels, said cross-channels being oriented on thebottom surface at an approximate 45 degree left angle to thelongitudinal axis of the block when viewing the block bottom surfacefrom a direct plan view; further said bottom surface being constructedwith a plurality of chambers, said chambers being orthogonal to both thebottom surface and the top surface and having a vertical depthapproximately one-half the distance between the bottom surface and thetop surface, the outer circumferences of said chambers intersecting saidmain-channels and cross-channels at irregular locations along the bottomsurface of the elastomeric block.
 6. A mechanized, motorized deviceconfigured to operate in conjunction with a hairstyling attachment, saiddevice comprising a coordinated arrangement of components which, whenmotorized in a connected manner, cause the meshed rotation of two pivotgears, the pivot gears having irregularly-spaced underside dock holesconnectable to a planar grip housing such that the gears induce variablerotation modes of the planar grip housing, further, the grip housingbeing capable of securely grasping the hairstyling attachment, thedevice minimally comprising: an elliptically-shaped top plate; a fullgear housing having three parallel walls orthogonally mounted atop aleft and a right circular gear retainer, a left and a right axle slotintegral to each respective gear retainer, and four mounting tabs; adrive gear; a left and a right circular, planar pivot gear, each pivotgear having gear teeth corresponding to those of said drive gear, aprotruding concentric axle in the upper surface, and threeirregularly-spaced dock holes in the undersurface; anelliptically-shaped, planar base plate having left and right lippedcavities, both cavities having an inner circular circumferencecorresponding to the outer circumference of said left and right pivotgears, a gear niche, and four latching slots; a planar button holderhaving two latches on its undersurface; a planar, lock synch buttonhaving a left wing and a right wing, a button tab, and one button postorthogonal to the upper surface of each wing; an elliptically-shaped,essentially planar sponge grip housing having an upper surface,containing two planar housing bays, two grip posts, a spring cavity, anda circumferentially rimmed undersurface; an annular, elliptically-shapedoscillation grip housing; a battery and connecting wires; an electricmotor and drive shaft; an on-off switch; and wherein allelliptically-shaped components have a matching elliptical contour. 7.The device of claim 6, wherein the device is operated in conjunctionwith an attachment which comprises an elastomeric, sponge-like blockhaving a flat, corresponding elliptically-shaped, attachable top surfaceand a bottom surface, said bottom surface further comprising both (a) aplurality of circular chambers and (b) a plurality of V-shaped channels,said channels arranged in a criss-cross pattern.
 8. The device of claim6, further comprising wiring and electrical junctions enabling the useof alternating current electrical power to rotate both pivot gears. 9.The device of claim 6, further comprising wiring and electricaljunctions enabling the use of battery direct current to electricallyrotate both pivot gears.
 10. The device of claim 6, wherein (a) saidleft and right pivot gears are placed within said left and rightcavities of the base plate; the drive gear is placed within the gearniche abutting both pivot gears, the mounting tabs of the full gearhousing are placed into the latching slots of the base plate such thatthe left and right gear retainers of said full gear housing are placedatop the respective left and right pivot gears, and the top plate isattached atop the full gear housing; further, (b) said button holder isplaced atop the lock synch button, the lock synch button is fastened tothe top surface of said sponge grip housing so as to form a left mainlocking pin and a right main locking pin, whereby (c) upon insertion ofthe left and right locking pins into two corresponding dock holes of theleft and right pivot gears, motorization of the drive gear causes mutualmeshed rotation of the pivot gears, which in turn generates a planarrotation of the sponge grip housing.
 11. The device of claim 6, whereinthe device is operated is conjunction with a hairstyling attachmentcomprising an elastomeric block having an elliptically-contoured,substantially smooth top surface, a jaggedly-patterned, sculptured andtextured bottom surface, and a continuous side panel, said side panelbeing integrally connected to the edges of both the top surface and thebottom surface; further the bottom surface of the attachment containsnine (9) V-shaped main-channels, said main-channels being parallel toeach other and oriented on the bottom surface at an approximate 45degree right angle to the longitudinal axis of the elastomeric blockwhen viewing the block bottom surface from a direct plan view; furthersaid bottom surface of the attachment further manifests nine (9)Y-shaped cross-channels, said cross-channels being oriented on thebottom surface at an approximate 45 degree left angle to thelongitudinal axis of the block when viewing the block bottom surfacefrom a direct plan view; further said bottom surface of the attachmentbeing constructed with a plurality of chambers, said chambers beingorthogonal to both the bottom surface and the top surface and having avertical depth approximately one-half the distance between the bottomsurface and the top surface, the outer circumferences of said chambersintersecting said main-channels and cross-channels at irregularlocations along the bottom surface of the elastomeric block.
 12. Animproved method of styling hair, wigs, and/or hairpieces into amultiplicity of intertwined spirals or twists of hair, the improvementcomprising: utilizing a mechanized, motorized device configured tooperate in conjunction with a hairstyling attachment, said devicecomprising a coordinated arrangement of components which, when motorizedin a connected manner, cause the meshed rotation of two pivot gears, thepivot gears having irregularly-spaced underside dock holes connectableto a planar grip housing such that the gears induce variable rotationmodes of the grip housing, further, the grip housing being capable ofsecurely grasping the hairstyling attachment; using with said device, ahairstyling attachment comprising an elastomeric, sponge-like blockhaving a flat, attachable top surface and a bottom surface, said bottomsurface further comprising (a) a plurality of circular chambers and (b)a plurality of V-shaped channels, said channels arranged in acriss-cross pattern; electrically activating said device such that, whensaid attachment is placed within the grasp of the grip housing,motorized rotary motion of the pivot gears induces a correspondingrotation of said planar grip housing, thereby effectuating a planarrotation of the bottom surface of said attachment; placing said bottomsurface of the elastomeric block in contact with a plurality ofindividual groupings of strands of hair, thereby causing said groupingsof strands to be engulfed within the chambers of said bottom surface andtransformed into intertwined twists or spiral shapes.
 13. The method ofclaim 12, further comprising: use of the device of said method inconjunction with a hairstyling attachment comprising an elastomericblock having an elliptically-contoured, substantially smooth topsurface, a jaggedly-patterned, sculptured and textured bottom surface,and a continuous side panel, said side panel being integrally connectedto the edges of both the top surface and the bottom surface; further thebottom surface contains nine (9) V-shaped main-channels, saidmain-channels being parallel to each other and oriented on the bottomsurface at an approximate 45 degree right angle to the longitudinal axisof the elastomeric block when viewing the block bottom surface from adirect plan view; further said bottom surface further manifests nine (9)V-shaped cross-channels, said cross-channels being oriented on thebottom surface at an approximate 45 degree left angle to thelongitudinal axis of the block when viewing the block bottom surfacefrom a direct plan view; further said bottom surface being constructedwith a plurality of chambers, said chambers being orthogonal to both thebottom surface and the top surface and having a vertical depthapproximately one-half the distance between the bottom surface and thetop surface, the outer circumferences of said chambers intersecting saidmain-channels and cross-channels at irregular locations along the bottomsurface of the elastomeric block.